Member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency, Rep. Sam Onuigbo has expressed shock over the decision of the Federal High Court, Umuahia, which on Friday struck out his suit challenging what he called his illegal substitution as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Abia Central Senatorial in the upcoming election next year.
“As a lawmaker, I believe that the judiciary should at all times be the agency of justice and thus the hope of the common man. Unfortunately, I do not at this time feel that the Federal High Court, Umuahia has exhaustively looked into my case and taken the right decision,” he said in a statement.
He insists that Emeka Atuma who was affirmed by the court as the authentic candidate of the party for the senatorial district never contested the election for which he parades himself as candidate.
According to Onuigbo, the May 28, 2022 senatorial election of APC for Abia Central monitored by INEC was between him and Chief Henry Ikoh who is now a minister of the federal republic.
“It is my belief that it is unjust for the name of a legitimately elected candidate to be substituted with the name of someone who never bought the forms for the Senatorial seat, was never screened nor participated at any level of the Senatorial primaries.
“Gon Emeka Atumah contested for Abia APC Gubernatorial primaries with High Chief Ikechi Emenike on May 26, 2022 and came second. Allowing this travesty to go unchallenged will be tantamount to giving injustice, illegal actions and impunity silent support. No matter what, we must make our contributions to history as people who did our best to call out injustice and impunity wherever we saw it, and confront it using legal means.”
He said, after consultation with his legal and strategy teams, he will be appealing this judgement at the Court of Appeal.
He therefore called on his supporters to remain calm as the mandate will be reclaimed at the appeal court.
“While we seek for justice at the Appeal Court, I enjoin my supporters to remain calm but resolute, and most importantly, peaceful and law abiding as we continue with our campaign. The wheel of justice may turn slowly, but it is the common man’s only hope,” he added.
